Hard work and dedication is reaping its rewards for youngsters from the Alive King’s Lynn Community Football Elite under-13 squad.
On the back of being crowned the JPL Midlands League champions last season, losing on penalties in the national finals, the team continues to flourish and develop under the tutorship of Darren Broughton and Mike Daisley.
Being part of the scheme has opened so many doors in the squad’s early years of competitive football, including training sessions with Chelsea and Fulham while three of the current set-up have been asked to represent the JPL in their representative age group.
Under the guidance of Dan Buhlemann at training, the team has been preached the FA 4 Corner Model.
This encourages coaches to consider their team’s progress within the key areas of social; physical; psychological; technical/tactical.
These attributes are needed to make a high-end football talent make it to the top but, more importantly, it provides youngsters with qualities to take into adulthood.
Joint manager Mike Daisley said: “These boys can play, they are a class act and remind me of the Class of 92. They are a blessed bunch of individuals, who know that together they can achieve great things.”
The team passed its latest test, which came in the shape of an under-13 JPL Cup derby against King’s Lynn Town on Saturday with a 5-0 victory.
Reflecting on the game, Daisley said: “We were warmly welcomed by our opponents team managers and both teams, regardless of the result, were congratulated and commiserated equally by both sides.
“I would say the whole team was man-of-the-match and, with four different goalscorers, the boys definitely did play the Elite way.
“The boys were given a round of applause from their greatest fans (parents) and special mention to the young referee who was very good and fair and was a credit to the game.”
Daisley added: “I’d like to give an individual mention to one young man who was struck with nerves and emotion the previous week.
“He came on this weekend and struck a ball in the back of the net. It made his season and it gave him confidence. This is the beauty of football.”
